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Background

The EPA ovesaw the cleanup of the Celotex site and residential properties near it between 2002 and 2009. In 2009 the City of Chicago signed an agreement with U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice agreeing to enhance the cleanup and develop the Celotex site as a public park using certain sustainable development practices. The agreement gave the city protection from potential liability for the contamination at the property. This paved the way for the sale of the site to the city of Chicago. (more...)

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Site Updates

January 2015

In December 2014 the Chicago Park District had a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the opening of La Villita Park on the former Celotex site. During the Celotex site cleanup, U.S. EPA asked Little Village residents for input on future use. Today, the vision the community expressed throughout the cleanup has become a reality.

The City of Chicago and CPD worked closely with the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and U.S. EPA on plans for the 21.42-acre park at the site. LVEJO and area residents gave input on design ideas and submitted a request to name the park “La Villita Park.”

With the insistent determination of community groups like LVEJO and other dedicated members of the Little Village community, this previously contaminated property is now a beautiful green space for the community to use.